International Conference
“The great protector of wits. D’Holbach 1789-2019”
Lichtenberg-Kolleg, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen,
Historic Observatory, Geismar Landstraße 11
9-11 May 2019
Conveners: Franziska Meier and Laura Nicolì
Thursday, 9th May
From 9 Registration
9.15 – 9 Franziska Meier (Georg-August-Universität, Göttingen), Welcome
09.30 – 10 Laura Nicolì (Lichtenberg-Kolleg), Introduction
10-11.30, Session 1 Chair: Nicholas Cronk
Brunello Lotti (Università di Udine), The concept of natural order in The System of Nature
Enrico Galvagni (Lichtenberg-Kolleg), Luxury, Mystification, and Oppressive Power in d’Holbach’s Philosophical Writings
11.45-13.15, Session 2 Chair: Laura Nicolì
Mladen Kozul (University of Montana), Holbach stratège et philosophe
Ruggero Sciuto (Hertford College / Voltaire Foundation, University of Oxford), The Absent Guest: D’Holbach’s Strategic Usage of Voltaire’s Texts
14.30-16, Session 3 Chair: Maria Susana Seguin
Alain Sandrier (Université de Caen Normandie), De quelques aspects de la contribution du baron d’Holbach à l’Encyclopédie
Mélanie Ephrème (Université Paris Diderot), Le baron d’Holbach, traducteur discret de la chimie allemande
16.30 – 18.30 Public Lecture
Alan Charles Kors (University of Pennsylvania), Holbach’s Skepticism
Discussant: Tony La Vopa (North Carolina State University / Lichtenberg-Kolleg)
Friday, 10th May
9.30-11, Session 4 Chair: Mladen Kozul
Gianni Paganini (Università del Piemonte Orientale), D’Holbach and the “spirit of Judaism”
Jacopo Agnesina (Università di Roma “La Sapienza”), The role of Prophecies. Baron d’Holbach as translator of Anthony Collins
12-13.30, Session 5 Chair: Franziska Meier
Maria Susana Seguin (Université Montpellier III / IHRIM - ENS de Lyon / IUF), Le rôle d’Holbach dans la diffusion de la littérature philosophique clandestine
Paolo Quintili (Università di Roma ”Tor Vergata”), D’Holbach et Diderot: une amitié plus que philosophique
15-16.30, Session 6 Chair : Alain Sandrier
Gerhardt Stenger (Université de Nantes), Voltaire contre la coterie holbachique
Emilio Mazza (IULM, Milano), How many “atheists” at d’Holbach’s table?
17.00 – 17.40: “Towards a born-digital critical edition of d’Holbach’s complete works”. Round table organised by Nicholas Cronk and Ruggero Sciuto
Saturday, 11th May
9-9.45, Session 7 Chair: Gianni Paganini
Jonathan Israel (Institute for Advanced Studies, Princeton), D’Holbach’s Political Thought. A subdued monarchism not unlike Voltaire’s, or a decisive step inlaying the crypto-republican underlay of the late 18th century revolutionary consciousness?
10-11.30, Session 8 Chair: Tony La Vopa
Nicholas Cronk (Voltaire Foundation, University of Oxford), Who are d’Holbach’s readers?
Iryna Mykhailova (Lichtenberg-Kolleg), D’Holbach’s Legacy in the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union: Translations and Receptions
11.30 – 12.30 Final round-table discussion chaired by Alan Charles Kors